Environmental Industry Development Agreement Signed

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--Environmental Industry Development Agreement Signed

The development of environmental industries on Cape Breton Island is the focus of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed today by Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Department of Environment and Labour.

The two parties formalized their cooperative efforts through the MOU. Their collaboration and information sharing are designed to make more efficient use of their fiscal and human resources.

David Morse, Minister of Environment and Labour, and Rick Beaton, vice president, Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, signed the MOU document. Rodger Cuzner, MP for Bras d'Or-Cape Breton, witnessed the signing.

The goals of the MOU are to develop opportunities for business and community economic development related to environmental projects in Cape Breton.

The construction of a new water treatment plant at Birch Grove is an excellent example of how the two parties will work together to help bring innovative environmental technologies to market. Besides providing over $320,000 in funding, they gave the company the support needed to prove its technology and demonstrate its capabilities to potential buyers. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has purchased the new treatment plant for Birch Grove.

"The Birch Grove project is just the beginning of many successful future collaborations we expect to have with Enterprise Cape Breton," said Mr. Morse. "We are confident that this strategic and cooperative approach will benefit many environmental industries, and will improve the economy of Cape Breton Island."

"The MOU's strategic and cooperative approach to developing environmental industries and business opportunities will help bring about economic activity and long term job opportunities," said Mr. Cuzner, on behalf of Robert Thibault, Minister of State for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "As well, with the Rawdon Technologies project, the government of Canada is pleased to offer its support to this innovative company and its improved water treatment process."

Through the MOU, the Department of Environment and Labour will provide technical information related to cost-effective environmental solutions that are suitable for commercialization. The department will also share knowledge of priority environmental issues, market intelligence and its knowledge of private-sector capacity.

Activities that take place under the MOU will include providing technical specialists to participate in or lead projects jointly supported by Enterprise Cape Breton and the department, participation in demonstration projects, and the continuing development of close working relationships with firms in the environmental industry sector.

Enterprise Cape Breton's role under the MOU is to share expertise and information related to economic development opportunities for environmental industries and to program development and delivery. The corporation will participate as a funding partner in projects that are of mutual interest to it and the department where this action is warranted and within its program constraints.